Rockola 450 Gripper Adjustment

[pattit0]

Hi, I have a Rockola 450 that I have been using for a long time. I have been using the service and troubleshooting manuals and I have replaced the tonearm switch, the idler wheel and got a rebuilt amplifier. It worked well for a long time. Recently the gripper would put the record back but the magazine would not engage. I oiled the gripper as per Ron Rich's instructions but it turns out the #1 microswitch was not making contact so I cleaned it and now it works perfectly. However, the gripper looks out of alignment and is not gripping all records properly so my manual shows there is an adjustment to the read-out carriage by turning a screw along with a drawing that will adjust it to the center but I cannot figure out which screw to turn as none of the ones I can see look like what the manual is talking about. If anyone has this machine or any machine from the 447 through 452 and can point it out I would so appreciate it. Also now the stylus is hitting the gripper arm when returning. So there's that problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated as I really have no one around who can repair it for me. Thank you so much.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Patti,
Normally, mechanical adjustments such as that, do not change --with-out human help- ! I would suspect one of the "Micro Switches" has fluctuated and is no longer switching as it should. I would suggest you check it, and if you find it's not "perfect", replace it. See our FAQ's for checking procedure. Ron Rich

[doghouseriley]

Do you mean that the gripper arm in the "rest" position is not equidistant between the first and last record?
I have a Rock-Ola 443.

The screw to adjust it is at the extreme right hand end of the rod that passes through the wobble plate to the carousel.
To get the perfect adjustment so that the records don't hit the duck bills of the dividers, select the record and shut the scan switch just as the recotd is being withdrawn by the gripper arm. Then check the gap between each sides of the record and the dividers is the same.
There's a screw that passes through the nut on this rod, which will turn either way with a flat headed screwdriver, to move the carousel either left or right. It isn't difficult.

[pattit0]

Thank you I will try both suggestions. Thanks again for responding.

[doghouseriley]

Here's my video of the gripper arm action. I posted it to show someone how much movement there should be in the mechanism.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOLgJE2Dwbg

Here's the instructions on how to adjust the tone arm clearance from the gripper arm.

[pattit0]

Thank you doghouseriley, that is so helpful!

[pattit0]

The tone arm was not the problem, I believe the popping noise I heard is coming from the amplifier. Every time I think I have it fixed something else happens. I guess that's the nature of the beast. Thanks for all your help.